Vikings in Anatolia: The Varangian Guard
Discover how Viking axemen guarded the Byzantine throne. Explore the Varangian Guard's legacy and Hagia Sophia runes in Istanbul.
Established in 2011, TheOtherTour has evolved from offering alternative city tours in Istanbul to becoming a trusted travel agency that provides top-quality services and curated travel experiences throughout Turkey.
With 15 years of experience exploring the nooks and crannies of Istanbul, we delight ourselves in sharing the city's hidden gems, from underground art scenes to music schools and various intimate spaces. The focus is not just on showing you the sights but also on introducing you to the city's heartbeat, its people, and its unsung tales.
We have tested and curated the best of what Turkey has to offer—be it boutique hotels, unique experiences, or cultural journeys. The company is committed to sustainable tourism, partnering with local artisans, guides, and businesses to offer an authentic experience that benefits communities as much as it delights travelers.
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Discover how Viking axemen guarded the Byzantine throne. Explore the Varangian Guard's legacy and Hagia Sophia runes in Istanbul.
Faruk Arslan — licensed Istanbul tour guide providing English & Spanish tours of Istanbul's old town Sultanahmet with The Other...
Explore Turkey’s top 5 vineyard routes. From Urla to Cappadocia, discover indigenous grapes, boutique stays, and slow travel.
Uncover the rich history of Zeyrek Mosque in Istanbul. Explore the hidden mosaics and royal tombs of this former Byzantine...
Trace the legacy of the Achaemenid Empire in Anatolia. Discover Persian ruins and ancient history on an immersive Turkey tour.
Explore Istanbul’s Old City with Orçun Kamit, an expert guide offering insightful Sultanahmet tours beyond the usual landmarks.
Discover the Anatolian world behind Homer’s Odyssey, from Troy to the Hittites, revealing the deeper history beneath the Greek epic.
Discover Aliée Istanbul at Tersane Istanbul on the Golden Horn. Experience Parisian luxury and Ottoman heritage in a chic stay.
A synagogue named after a Bulgarian town still holds Shabbat services. Inside: one of Istanbul's last original wooden vaults and...
Çayönü Tepesi is the Neolithic mound near Diyarbakır where farming, the first pigs and the oldest worked copper began, long...
We offer a unique, immersive travel experience across Turkey — not just Istanbul's lesser-known corners, but also the valleys of Cappadocia, the ruins of Ephesus, and the coastlines of Antalya and Bodrum, engaging guests in cultural activities like local home visits, market explorations, and Bosphorus cruises.
What we specialize in, above all, is matching each client with the right professional guide for wherever they're headed in Turkey — though if we're being honest, our roster is still concentrated mostly in Istanbul. As of August 2026, that roster stands at 54 professional tour guides, each one personally vetted rather than pulled from a directory. Most of what we arrange are daily and multi-day private tours, guided primarily in English, with guides available in other languages on request.
We also provide a full range of wheelchair-assisted guided tours, custom itineraries, and specialized tours covering historical, cultural, and niche interests like Jewish heritage, vegan spots, and bird-watching — now paired with a guide roster that reaches Ankara, the Black Sea, and the wider Mediterranean region. We also offer transportation services with professional guides for a more personalized and flexible experience.
The Other Tour is an immersive way to experience Istanbul and the rest of Turkey, led by licensed local guides who take you beyond the tourist spots into the lived culture and quiet corners of Cappadocia, Antalya, Ephesus, Bodrum, and the Mediterranean. We also build personalized travel planning, private tours, and custom itineraries — crafted around what you’re actually curious about, in any region of the country.